HYDE PARK

Hyde Park is one of the nine Royal Parks in London and it is the biggest one in London. In the sixteenth century, Henry VIII transformed the park into a hunting reserve, introducing many deer. Before, only the royal family could enter and use it until James I opened it to the public, but in any case the area was frequented only by bourgeois and nobles. Later, in 1637 Charles I opened the park to everyone. It is divided into two parts by the Serpentine Lake. This is an artificial lake built in 1730. In addition, it is very famous for the Speaker's corner: a place where various eccentric characters meet on the weekends to give speeches on various themes. Speakers' Corner became famous during World War II, because it was the only place where people could defend Hitler by criticizing Churchill without fear of reprisal. Today at Speakers' Corner it is possible to talk about any topic, always observing legality. Other interesting places in the park are: the Grand entrance, The Welling arch and the fountain in memory of Diana, built in 2005.

What Hyde Park offers

On Christmas day the "Peter Pan Cup" takes place in the Serpentine lake. It is a particular swimming competition whose participants are over 60. Near the south east side of the lake there is "The Holocaust Memorial" a monument dedicated to the victims of the holocaust. In the park there is the "Rose Garden". At the edge of the park there are two triumphal arches, the Wellington Arch and the Marble Arch. In the park it is possible to practice lots of sports and activities thanks to the pitches and field you can find there. People can run, swim, play tennis, play football, ride a horse or just relax and sunbathe. In Hyde Park there are colorful flowers, wonderful trees and ducks, swans and even squirrels.

BEATRICE NEGRO